Adjustable belt



P. C WILSON ADJUSTABLE BELT Dec.. 5, 1967 Filed March 3l, 1965 INVENTOR. PRTER C. WLS/V A TTYS.

United States Patent Office 3,355,744 ADJUSTABLE BELT Porter C. Wilson, 320 E. Elvira Road, Tucson, Ariz. 85706 Filed Mar. 31, 1965, Ser. No. 444,343 6 Claims. (Cl. 2-338) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an adjustable belt and more particularly to an adjustable belt having an identifying buckle and loose end keeper permitting Waist size adjustment to be made simply and quickly.

In the use of a belt in sports, games or at other times, the problem of Waist size adjustment often creates a serious inconvenience. The use of various sized belts always creates the problem of matching up the individual to the correctly sized belt. When the same equipment is used by several different groups or individuals, the simple process of selecting the correct sizes is time consuming. The problem is compounded when an interchangeable use of equipment is attempted between various groups of different ages and sizes. In the use in outdoor sports, where the playing areas are often located far from the storage areas, a great deal of playing time may be lost by the necessity of sending for various sizes. A belt used in the playing of sports, which has a mechanical size adjustment, is superior to one which has elastic self adjustment as elastic self adjustment must depend upon rubber which does not retain elasticity in dry climates. When an elastic belt is accidentally or intentionally grasped by an opponent and released the snap-back against the wearer may be painful. A belt which can be simply and quickly adjusted to all Waist sizes overcomes these problems.

When belts are made adjustable in size, the appearance is automatically reduced to a like or common appearance. The need for a distinguishing mark of identification is needed to determine ownership. By providing a decal display recess an attractive identification decal may be permanently inserted into the buckle. Commercial advertising in the form of decals displaying product trademarks may be used in the buckles and civic clubs and organizations may use the decals to identify teams which they are sponsoring.

An object of this invention is to provide a belt that may be quickly and easily adjusted for dillerent waist sizes.

A further object of this invention is to provide an adjustable belt made of substantially non-elastic plastic material and including an identifying buckle and loose end keeper.

Another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable belt with buckle including an adjustably positionable loose end keeper permitting simple waist size adjustment.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable belt for athletic team use formed of a substantially non-elastic material including an identifying buckle and a loose end keeper permitting ready adjustment of said belt.

These and many other objects are achieved by this 3,355,744 Patented Dec. 5, 1967 invention which may in general comprise a belt formed of a substantially non-elastic material such as plastic having a plurality of spaced ridges or ribs formed in the face thereof and extending along the length thereof, a Iirst end of which is received Within a iirst pair of spaced openings of a buckle having an elongated end portion provided with a recessed opening having shoulders thereon for receiving identifying decal in a snap fit arrangement, said buckle also being provided with a second pair of openings spaced o-n opposite sides of said first pair of openings for receiving a second end of said belt; and a loose end keeper for adjustably securing said first end of said belt to an intermediate portion of said belt, said loose end keeper being provided with spaced openings for receiving said belt and spaced opposing shoulders under which said tirst end portion of said belt is fitted, said ridges on said belt cooperating with said buckle and said loose end keeper whereby the length of said belt may be easily and securely adjusted.

These and many other objects will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention when read in view of the appended drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a partial plan View of a preferred embodirnent of an adjustable belt in accordance with the principles illustrating the buckle and lose end keeper;

FIGURE 2 is a partial sectional view along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 illustrating the slotted buckle and end keeper;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 showing the buckle with belt removed; and

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1 showing the loose end keeper with belt removed.

Referring to the drawing, FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate a preferred embodiment of an adjustable belt in accordance with the principles of the invention and comprises a belt 1l of suflicient length to permit a wide range of length or size adjustment, a buckle designated generally by the reference numeral 12 and a loose end keeper 13, through which the belt is looped. The belt 11 is preferably formed of a substantially non-elastic material of suiiicient stiffness, such as plastic, leather or the like, in order to prevent stretching and snap back when the belt is pulled and released. The belt 11 is provided with a plurality of upstanding ridges or shoulders 14 that extend parallel along the length of the belt.

The buckle 12 as shown in FIGURES 1 and 3 is a substantially flat body 16 formed of plastic or the like having curved end portions 17 and 18, the end portion 17 being provided with an aperture 19 for hanging the belt on a support when not in use. The curved end 18 is provided with a circular recess 21, having a slight circular groove 22 formed in the side walls thereof to form an overhanging snap lip 23 and an inset 24 at the bottom of the recess 21. As shown in FIGURE 2, a suitable identifying decal 26 is inserted into the inset 24 over which a crowned, transparent shield 27 is snapped into place inthe groove 22 and held in place by the overhanging snap lip 23. In this manner identifying indicia may be conveniently inserted into the buckle 12 and replaced when desired. In sporting events where player or team. identification is necessary this is an important feature.

A central portion of the face of the buckle 12 is removed to form a chamber 28 having shoulders on either side and a second portion extending substantially back the entire length of the buckle 11 is cut away to form a second chamber 29, having shoulders on either side thereof, the chambers 28 and 29 being separated by a Wall 31 in Which a first central pair of slots 32 are formed and a second pair of slots 33, one being disposed on either side of the slots 32 and spaced therefrom. The length of 3 `:he slots 32 and 32 corresponding to the width of the belt 11 is slightly less in width than the thickness of the belt so that when the belt 11 is looped through the respective slots the sidewalls of the respective slots frictionally engage and tend to grip and compress the upstanding ridges of the belt 11.

The loose end keeper 13 as shown in FIGURE 3 is also preferably formed of plastic and includes a flat base and semi-circular shoulders 36 extending therefrom forming a belt channel 37 therein for receiving the belt 11. The base 34 is provided with spaced slots 38 opening into the channel 37 through Which the belt 11 is also looped. The shoulders 36 are provided with opposing projections 39 that extend over the channel 37 and the bottom surfaces of which are disposed from the base 34 a distance slightly less than twice the thickness of the belt 11.

ln use, as shown in FIGURE 3, a first free end portion 11A of the belt 11 is looped through the slot 32 in the buckle 12 and back through the slot 38 through the channel 37 in the loose end keeper 13 where the belt 11 passes freely under the projections 39 on the shoulders overhanging the channel 37. A body portion 11B of the belt yis then slightly folded or pinched and inserted into the channel 37 of the loose end keeper 13 under the overhanging projections 39 to form a closed loop between the loose end keeper 13 and the buckle 12 of any determined length. As the thickness of the channel 37 is slightly less than twice the thickness of the belt 11 under the projections 39, the projections frictionally engage and grip the ridges 14 on the belt 11 and firmly and releasably secure it in place. Similarly the slots 32 in the belt also grip the ridges 14 of the belt 11 threaded therethrough to maintain the closed loop at the desired length. The second free end portion 11C is then extended around the waist and through the outer slots 33 to overlie the body portion 11B.

In adjusting the size of the belt 11, the overhanging projections permit quick removal and connection anywhere along the length of the body portion 11B of the belt to vary the length of the loop between the buckle and loose end keeper, it then being necessary only to centrally position the buckle on the loop. Connection of the loose end keeper is accomplished by simply pinching the belt at the keeper and inserting the edges of the belt under the projections and then releasing the belt allowin it to return to its normal width under the projections within tne channel. This allows the excess end of the belt (the loose end keeper) to be attached at any point behind any other objects being worn on the belt, or any trouser loops through which the belt is to be passed. And this quick adjustment and positioning is achieved without the rethreading of the belt as is required in adjustable belts utilizing a conventional retainer bar across the width of the belting.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, numerous changes and modifications may be made in accordance with the principles of the invention which is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims:

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable belt comprising: a strip of flexible material; a buckle having a pair of spaced openings therein for receiving a first free end of said strip of flexible material and a second pair of openings disposed on either side of said first pair of openings for receiving a second free end of said strip of flexible material; a keeper having a channel therein and a pair of spaced openings opening into said channel for receiving said first free end of said strip of flexible material; and shoulder formed on said keeper and extending over said channel for releasably receiving and securing a midportion of said strip of flexible material thereby forming an adjustable loop in said strip of flexible material between said buckle and said keeper, the size of said loop in said strip of flexible material being determined by the relative position of said keeper and said midportion of said strip of flexible material to provide an adjustable belt.

2. A belt as defined in claim 1 wherein said strip of flexible material is provided with a plurality of spaced parallel ridges extending the length of said strip of flexible material, said ridges on said strip of flexible material cooperating with said first and second pair of openings in said buckle and said pair of openings in said keeper, whereby said strip of flexible material is releasably gripped by said buckle and said keeper.

3. An adjustable belt as defined in claim 1 wherein said keeper, buckle and strip of flexible material are formed of plastic.

4. In an adjustable belt including a strip of flexible material and a buckle through which said strip of flexible material is looped, a loose end keeper for cooperating with said buckle to form an adjustable loop between said buckle and said loose end keeper, said loose end keeper comprising: a base; circular shoulders formed on said base and disposed on opposite sides thereof forming a channel therebetween, a pair of spaced openings in said base opening into said channel; and a pair of spaced opposing projections formed on said shoulders, the distance between the ends of said spaced projections being substantially less than the width of said strip of flexible material and the distance between the bottom of said projections and said base being less than twice the thickness of said strip of flexible material wherein a first free end of said strip of flexible material looped through said buckle may be looped through said openings in said base and adjustably confined therein, said free end of said strip of flexible material passing through said channel, and a midportion of said strip of flex-ible material adjustably gripped when flexed and inserted under said projections, said midportion of said strip of flexible material passing through said channel and overlying said first end portion of said strip of flexible material, thereby forming an adjustable loop between said keeper and said buckle.

5. An adjutable belt as defined in claim 4 wherein said buckle includes a snap fit recess for receiving an identifying indicia.

6. An adjustable belt as defined in claim 5, wherein said buckle includes an aperture for hanging said belt.

References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,290,685 7/1942 Hickok 2-338 2,493,447 l/ 1950 Delano 2-322 3,192,747 7/l965 Stupell et al. 2-338 X 3,222,688 12/1965 Rosenzweig 2-323 3,276,088 10/1966 lock et al. 2--323 X FOREIGN PATENTS 68,528 5/1958 France.

PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner,

r G. V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner, 

1. AN ADJUSTABLE BELT COMPRISING: A STRIP OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL; A BUCKLE HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED OPENINGS THEREIN FOR RECEIVING A FIRST FREE END OF SAID STRIP OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL AND A SECOND PAIR OF OPENINGS DISPOSED ON EITHER SIDE OF SAID FIRST PAIR OF O PENINGS FOR RECEIVING A SECOND FREE END OF SAID STRIP OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL; A KEEPER HAVING A CHANNEL THEREIN AND A PAIR OF SPACED OPENINGS OEPNING INTO SAID CHANNEL FOR RECEIGING SAID FIRST FREE END OF SAID STRIP OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL; AND SHOULDER FORMED ON SAID KEEPER AND EXTENDING OVER SAID CHANNEL FOR RELASABLY RECEIVING AND SECURING A MIDPORTION OF SAID STRIP OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL THEREBY FORMING AN ADJUSTABLE LOOP IN SAID STRIP OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL BETWEEN SAID BUCKLE AND SAID KEEPER, THE SIZE OF SAID LOOP IN SAID STRIP OF FLEXIBLE MATEIAL BEING DETEMINED BY THE RELATIVE POSITION OF SAID KEEPER AND SAID MIDPORTION OF SAID FLEXIBLE MATERIAL TO PROVIDE AN ADNUSTABLE BELT. 